Heavy rains flood Pataskala, closing roads

A resident pulls trashcans and other items out of the path of floodwaters after the South Fork of the Licking River jumped its banks Thursday in downtown Pataskala, flooding Willow Street and and an adjoining mobile home community.(Photo11: Chad Klimack/The Standard)Buy Photo

PATASKALA - City officials on Thursday were urging drivers to use caution, after heavy rains caused water to flood some roadways.

The flooding, according to those same officials, was not isolated to one area or street. A number of roads were flooded, including some downtown streets, after heavy rains drenched the area Thursday morning and early Thursday afternoon. The water, when added atop ground still saturated from Monday's severe weather, caused water to flood and cover roadways.

A section of Refugee Road was closed due to high water, and adjoining Arbor Lane was experiencing some serious flooding issues.

Other notable areas plagued by high water Thursday include the southern stretch of Columbia Road, Taylor Road and portions of Hollow Road, Watkins Road and York Road.

"There are so many roads that are flooded we're urging people to use caution," City Administrator B.J. King said. "If people could just use common sense: If they see water, don't drive through it."

King spent the early afternoon meeting with West Licking Joint Fire District to discuss the situation.

"We're kind of implementing a disaster plan and looking at our areas to see if we have to evacuate anyone," Pataskala Mayor Mike Compton said.

Pataskala officials are evacuating one low-lying community: A mobile home community near Main Street and Willow Street. A handful of residents from the community are being temporarily housed at the former West Licking fire station on Jefferson Street.

In addition, scanner traffic on Thursday afternoon indicated West Licking was performing a water rescue in the 10100 block of McIntosh Road in Pataskala. McIntosh Road stands north of Foundation Park.

Scanner traffic also indicated West Licking and the Millersport Fire Department were performing a water rescue in the 8600 block of York Road in Etna Township. West Licking, with the help of numerous other departments, was performing another water rescue in the 7800 block of Watkins Road in Harrison Township.

All three water rescues were reportedly occurring around 3:30 p.m. No other information was available.

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A truck ignored the advice of nearby residents and drove through the rising floodwaters on Township Road in downtown Pataskala.(Photo11: Chad Klimack/The Standard)

In addition to working with the fire district, Compton said the city was in close contact with Licking County EMA.

Compton also offered some advice for residents.

"If you don't have go go out, don't go out," said Compton, adding city officials are hoping the floodwaters and standing water will recede later in the day.

King agreed.

He said public safety officials are "hoping the water will start going down. We're keeping an eye on the radar. If we get more rain, we could be back where we (currently) are."